What are the reasons why graft and corruption occurs?

1. It's viewed as profitable by those who commit it.

2. The risk of getting caught is precieved as being low.

3. The lack of a moral compass leads to the idea that if one can get away with it, it's ok.

4. The lack of moral leadership from others who commit the offences leads to others to think it's ok.

5. The participation of others, in either doing it, or not reporting it.

6. In many cases it's difficult to find and punish.

7. In some cases, the lack of fair pay.

8. In some parts of the world, it's socially acceptable.

9. The lack of proper accounting and audit standards.

10. The lack of sufficient training on how to avoid and report crimes.

Graft has been occurring probably since the beginning of elected government officials... that is the way politicians pay back the ppl that gave them the most money to get elected. They right contracts into the budget... or should I say, they write projects into the budget knowing good and well, who they are going to give the contract to.

As far as just plain corruption, like the recent Tom Delay, Scooter Libby, etc... stuff, that is humans letting power and arrogance take control of their souls.

Why Corruption Occurs

There are many reasons that lead to graft and corruption but the buck stops with the public. If the public actually cared enough to pay attention and take action then it would diminish significantly. The bottom line is that we live on Earth, instead of Utopia, so we will always fall short of perfection.

In the government arena, a contributing reason is that the people in charge of the various departments do not lose anything when their subordinates steal.

The money belongs to the government and not to the Department Head. If the money came out of his pocket, the Department Head would charge the subordinate with theft or would have the subordinate fired.

It's always someone else's money ( mine and yours) so why should the Department Head become the fink who rats on the crook. Especially when the Dept Head got his job by knowing someone, maybe the uncle of the subordinate who is doing the stealing.

Result: Everyone is corrupt and they get away with it.

Graft and corruption occurs because people who joins the government do not serve the people but just to enrich themselves while in power.

Because people want money and power. Take our politicians. Once they get elected they have to corrupt themselves in order to stay elected. In addition they are given so many opportunities to corrupt themselves that it almost becomes a way of life for them. Egos get in the way and they believe that they are above the electorate and that they should receive something n return for supporting your point of view. Answer: Ego, greed and power.

Lust,power,greed.

Politics is the process of who gets what, when, why and how. If that is the case. People will always use politics to advance their personal objectives. That leads to corruption.

Being underpaid, to satisfy hedonistic needs, going along with the corrupted pack and greed.